United States Mission Geneva

The United States notes with interest Nicaragua’s inclusion in its reporting on civil and political rights that the Office for Coordination of Access to Information guarantees that the government observes and complies with the law on access to information. Media and civil society groups, however, have expressed serious concerns that government officials have denied them access to information that should be publicly available, and also that the Office for Coordination of Access to Information is severely understaffed and lacks adequate equipment to reasonably serve the public. The United States recommends that Nicaragua ensure full compliance with the letter and spirit of its law on access to information, and that the Office for Coordination of Access to Information be sufficiently staffed and equipped to undertake its responsibilities to the public.

The United States remains concerned about the treatment and rights of migrant workers in Qatar, and we thus recommend that Qatar pass a comprehensive law specifically outlawing trafficking in persons. We further recommend that Qatar implement its new Sponsorship Law in a way that ends migrant workers’ dependence on their sponsors for residency rights, enabling workers to change jobs, travel, and negotiate for a fair contract without their sponsor’s permission. We additionally recommend that Qatar effectively protect the rights of the domestic workers who are excluded from the purview of current labor laws and who must rely for protection solely on the provisions of unregulated, private contracts they sign with their employers, thus making them especially vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

African American history is an essential thread of the American narrative that traces our Nation’s enduring struggle to perfect itself. Each February, we recognize African American History Month as a moment to reflect upon how far we have come as a Nation, and what challenges remain.

Geneva, Switzerland
January 28, 2010
The United States was pleased to participate in the ninth round of the Geneva Discussions. We welcome the Co-Chairs’ efforts to identify interim steps that can both improve the security situation on the ground and lay the groundwork for more far-reaching arrangements. One such step the Geneva Process has already [...]

CLOSING DATE: February 24, 2010: The incumbent performs a variety of procurement functions for the U.S. Mission and associated agencies by processing purchased orders, petty cash purchases, Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPA), delivery order, and U.S. Government purchase card transactions. Assists the Senior Procurement Agent with technical and clerical aspects of contract solicitations.

As in our humanitarian efforts now, and as we transition to reconstruction and rebuilding, the United States looks forward to working together with the international community and most importantly, with the government of Haiti to assist in its revitalization.

As this is the first time I am taking the floor this year, allow me to begin by congratulating you on assuming the post as the first President of the Conference on Disarmament (CD) during the 2010 session, and to thank you for your extensive efforts already this year. I wish to assure you and all members of the P6 of my Delegation’s full support for your collective efforts throughout this year.

Transcript: Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Giovanni Bisignani, CEO and Director General of IATA, speak with the press following a meeting on aviation security in Geneva.

“Effective aviation security relies upon close coordination between airlines, government and law enforcement to identify, deter and disrupt threats,” said Secretary Napolitano. “I am committed to working closely with the airline industry and my international counterparts to strengthen global aviation security standards for passengers traveling to the United States and around the world.”